Ireland's World Cup Qualifying Group - As Things Stand | Balls.ie

Balls.ie will provide the relevant information about Ireland's World Cup qualifying group throughout the campaign as Martin O'Neill's men hope book their place for Russia 2018.

When the draw was made for Ireland's World Cup qualifying group last year, many Irish fans shared the common belief that it would be challenge but one in which the squad were more than capable of meeting.

The Story So Far...

5th September 2016 - Serbia vs Republic of Ireland

Ireland's primary fixture was away in Serbia against a side injected with talented youths - who recently lifted the u20 World Cup. It was always going to be a difficult place to get a result but thanks to Daryl Murphy's first international goal to level the score at 2-2.

O'Neill came away from Belgrade with a point following a laborious Irish performance.

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6th October 2016 - Republic of Ireland vs Georgia

A scrappy Seamus Coleman goal spared Irish blushes at the Aviva Stadium in what was otherwise a largely forgettable game. The visitors had eleven attempts in total but failed to really test Darren Randolph during the ninety minutes.

'A win is a win' seemed to the general consensus of the Irish contingent as they filtered out to the streets of Dublin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij1aOjMd4Rc

9th October 2016 - Moldova vs Republic of Ireland

With just two minutes played, Shane Long opened the scoring in Chișinău but the hosts replied with a goal of their own moments before the half-time whistle.

A brace from James McClean secured all three points as he scored his sixth and seventh goals respectively.

It was not quite a straightforward night for the Boys in Green but nevertheless the result meant that Ireland would join Serbia top of the group.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5Gzz2T2cYM

12th November 2016 - Austria vs Republic of Ireland

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James McClean's third goal of the campaign was enough to secure a famous victory in Vienna for the 'boys in green'. In the 48th minute of the game, Wes Hoolahan found McClean in space on the far side as the West Brom winger marauded towards the opposition area before subsequently powering the ball into the Austria net.

The victory means it was the Republic of Ireland's first away win against higher ranked opposition since beating Scotland in 1987. Quite a remarkable feat which leaves them in good stead as O'Neill's men sit top of group D.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ser3a_8wddc